To say that I am intrigued by the Vintage Maduro 1997 Toro’s appearance would be an understatement. The metal cigar band near the head is definitely not something you see everyday, and it’s definitely something I will hold onto. The band on the foot does a good job of accentuating the cigar’s appearance as well with its gold, red, and black color scheme. Moving onto the cigar itself and not its decorations, the wrapper is very dark and oily. The Toro feels firm to the touch and has several small veins running throughout. As I take a whiff of the cigar I pick up a scent of wood, while the cold taste is on the sweet side.

After giving the Maduro 1997 Toro a few more looks I finally light it and enjoy a solid burn. The draw is easy. The gray ash is a tad flaky, but I can’t complain too much. The burn is even from start to finish. My lighter can relax, as no touch-ups or re-lights are needed.

Now let’s get into the important part: the flavor. A nice little burst of spice starts it all off, but it’s far from overbearing. Some wood is also noticeable. The second third shifts to a delicious combination of sweet, creamy, and chocolate flavors. These disappear in the final third, unfortunately, but the spice and coffee notes do provide a good sendoff.

As I expected, the Macanudo Vintage Maduro 1997 was a quality smoke. Everything was up to par, including the unique appearance, good burn, and tasty array of flavors. Macanudo fans who have not given this selection a try will definitely want to do so, as will anyone looking for a smooth, yet flavorful cigar. At $8 each, the Maduro 1997 Toro is not cheap, so it may not be considered an everyday cigar. With that being said, I consider it good enough to enjoy on special occasions. A box of 12 is not a bad idea by any means, and you’ll be able to show off the interesting presentation of each cigar to your friends.

The Macanudo Vintage Maduro 1997 Toro earns a rating of 3.75 out of four stars.